Entry No. 14 — the Pittsburgh file — filed under: cemetery
Evans City Cemetery
This quiet, rural cemetery is the legendary filming location for the opening sequence of George Romero's 1968 horror masterpiece, *Night of the Living Dead*. It is where the modern zombie genre was born, and the historic chapel on-site was fully restored by dedicated fans.
The story
In 1968, a local crew hauled a black-and-white camera up a windy Butler County hill and inadvertently birthed the modern zombie genre. The opening sequence of George A. Romero's landmark horror film *Night of the Living Dead*—where Johnny taunts his sister Barbara with a raspy "They're coming to get you"—was shot right along the narrow asphalt paths of Evans City Cemetery.
The hilltop hasn't shifted much since Romero framed his shots. If you know where to look along the grassy slope, you can stand right at the Nicholas Kramer headstone, the exact piece of granite Barbara clutched in terror before running from the cinema world's very first flesh-eater. Down near the entrance, the historic stone chapel visible in the background faced demolition years after filming, but dedicated horror fans banded together to raise funds and fully restore it.
What it's like
Don't expect a gift shop or tour guides in gore makeup; this remains a serene, working rural cemetery off Franklin Road. You'll drive up a quiet slope to sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The atmosphere is solemn and peaceful—right up until you start mentally matching the treeline to Romero's camera angles. Keep your visit low-key, give wide berth to any attending families or ongoing services, and stick to the paved lanes when locating the Kramer marker.
The move: Take a scenic drive north of the city, walk the exact path where Barbara fled from the first zombie, and take a photo next to the iconic Nicholas Kramer tombstone featured in the film.
- 📍 Evans City
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 8044 Franklin Rd, Evans City, PA 16033
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Mars Flying Saucer — Pair your classic horror pilgrimage with a pit stop ten minutes south in Mars, Pennsylvania, where a 3,000-pound UFO crafted from oil tanks sits in the town square.
- The Barefoot Forge — Trade black-and-white cinematic dread for raw heat in Hampton Township by taking a hands-on metalworking class led by a barefoot blacksmith.
- Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory — Extend your rural hilltop outing into the evening by heading east to Deer Lakes Park for a stargazing session through amateur telescopes.
Good to know
What specific movie scenes were filmed at Evans City Cemetery?
The entire opening sequence of 1968's *Night of the Living Dead*, from Barbara and Johnny driving up the cemetery lane to Barbara's desperate flight from the first zombie.
Which headstone appears prominently in the film?
The Nicholas Kramer tombstone, located along the cemetery's internal driveway, is the marker Barbara grips during the opening attack.
Can you go inside the historic chapel?
The chapel was fully restored on-site by horror fans after facing demolition, though interior access depends on local events and maintenance schedules.
Is there an admission fee to visit?
No, it is an active public cemetery with free access, though you should always confirm daylight operating hours before visiting.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · pabucketlist.com · pittsburghmagazine.com
last checked: 2026-07-21